SAS G SQN

[johanwiegman]

Guys,

A bit of a late response, but I am also pretty sure that G Squadron has worn the Guards backing under the SAS beret badge. The practice was discontinued. I also quite agree with some members who find there are always exceptions to dress regulations and in the world of badges, we have all seen quite a few changes, up to the present day in SF badges, styles and variations.

See some samples of Guards beret backings.

best regards,

Johan

[Kiwisapper]

Lads,

from memory the picture of Westmacott attached was hung in the stairwell on the right hand side of Old College RMAS, the stairwell on the other side had Robert Nairac, both Guardsmen.

I never saw the one of Westmacott in a beret though.

Rob

[Mike_2817]

'G' Squadron was at one time primarily drawn from personnel of the now disbanded Guards Independent Parachute Company, was at first made up of all volunteers from the Household Division, and most of its officers still are.

The Guards still have a platoon of Guards Parachute Soldiers attached to 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) who still wear the flash.


From the Guards MoD Web Site

[platypus44]

anyone got a scan from the Sandhurst book

bought one from ebay, finally arrived and no photo , wrong book

[54Bty]

Here go, not the complete picture as my machine is small. but you can see a LARGE flash behind the beret badge.

[platypus44]

awesome Painting

so 79/ 80 seems to gell with Beret with flash

wonder if Sandhurst commissioined that painting ?

[Alan O]

The background is Victory College and the Academy grounds.

Alan

[john badge]

I know this is an old thread but I thought I would put my 'two peneth' in.

I served in the Welsh Guards in the sixties and seventies. On the Regimental Day (St Davids Day obviously) assorted SAS and others sometimes turned up.

The G Sqn guys where not wearing a patch behind their badge. But the lads from No 1 Guards Independant Parachute Company did. A red beret with the patch and a parachute regient badge on top.

Hope this helps.

[badjez]

Have just looked up the Clothing Regs 1966 (amended to 1972). Under cap badge backings the 'Guards Brigade Colours' were authorised for wear on the beret only by 1st Guards Indep. Coy, Para.

Stephen.

[blackpowder44]

In the book written by Pete Scholey, The Joker, page 202 he states that when taking a member of G sqn. to Colchester prison to serve 56 days detention the provost sergeant major mistook Scholey for the prisoner because he did not think that the 6 ft. SAS corporal wearing the Household Division backing behind his beret badge couldn't possibly be the bad guy, Therefor proof positive of the Guards backing to the SAS badge. John.

[JON188]

Old thread but....A couple of years back in the officers mess whilst attending a charity dinner i saw an old album and there were 2 group shots with Flashes behind cSAS cap badge. 100%
1 even had 2 US green berets on front row wearing SAS berets.
I own an ex G sqn members No1 dress and the guys who brought it in to the seller informed him that the recently passed SNCO had owned such a beret.

[Glyndwr Owen Hughes]

Originally Posted by canny lad

Hi Guys
Regards to a previous thread which has now been removed about the G sqn badge, i would like to shine some light on the subject ( please dont ask me to back it up for obvious reasons), take this info as you please.
I have been very reliably informed that the sas beret badge on the guards flash was worn for a short period of time when they were formed, only worn for about two years, it was worn again in the 80's but again only for a short period of time.
Attached is a Genuine beret with guards badge, like i say, take this information as you will, im not one for getting into debates over badges, its just not worth it, its entirely up to you wether to beleive or not but i for one stand by this statement.
Thanks
Brian

Hi Brian,
Yes the blue red blue Guards backing was first used back in 66 when G Squadron was first formed!

[seanhath]

Originally Posted by NorthStafford

Knowing the Guards mentality (or perhaps Esprit de Corps) I wouldn't be surprised to find that they wore the Guards flash on their pyjamas. The thing about British Army dress, in all it's forms, is never say never because you'll almost certainly find an exception somewhere.

I Still have a Guards flash sewn on a favourite leather jacket.
99% of folk won't ever know why.
Its a sickness

[Ade-oh]

This painting used to hang in the 'Westmacott Anteroom' in Victory College when I was a student officer there in the mid-80s.

Originally Posted by Alan O

Just to answer the Westmacott question there is a second painting of him at RMAS. It is him with a SAS beret on and it does have the blue-red-blue patch behind it. I recently came across a photo of it is the RMAS 200 year annisversary book and it sparked a memory. It is not a practice in use now.

[platypus44]

Hi guys, not thought about this forum for a while,
I am still keen to track down a G Sqn Troopers beret with Guiards flash behind the beret badge, i believe they were worn for a short period